What the 2025 Member Event Taught Us About the Power of TAB

Back in May, we brought together TAB members and franchisees from across the UK for something we hadn’t done since 2019. A national, in-person member event.

Now, a few months on, we’ve had time to reflect on what it meant. Not just the logistics (though pulling it together was no small feat), but the energy, the honesty, and the depth of insight that came out of it. As a franchisor, it reminded us just how powerful this community really is. Being part of TAB is about much more than running peer boards or delivering one-to-ones.

Take a look at the highlights video to see the energy in the room and why the event mattered as much to our franchisees as to our members.

The Value Was in the People

The Hospitium in York’s Museum Gardens set the scene. A beautiful, two-day gathering that felt genuinely special. But it was the people who made it. Franchisees, members, and guest speakers came together in a way that was honest, open, and hugely energising.

It’s easy to say this is a supportive community. At this event, you could see it in action. There were conversations that mattered, stories that resonated, and challenges brought into the open. No hard sell, no posturing. Just real business owners exchanging experience, encouragement, and insight.

Day One: Real Talk, Real Lessons

We opened with Marcus Child, diving into what it takes to build a high-performing culture. No buzzwords. Just powerful ideas around energy, belief, and intention. The kind of thinking that leaves you walking away with pages of notes and a few uncomfortable but necessary questions to ask yourself.

Then came one of the event’s most talked-about moments: our TAB Member Panel on 'Favourite Failures'.

Four TAB members: Claire Sutherley, Graham Bell, Garry Davies, and Tina Keeble, took to the stage to talk openly about mistakes they’d made and what they’d learned. Hiring the wrong person, making the wrong bet, and missing something obvious in hindsight.

They didn’t sugar-coat it. And they didn’t need to. That’s what made it valuable.

As a franchisee, this is what you’re part of—creating the kind of environment where business owners feel safe enough to be honest. To get the truth out. And to grow because of it.

Fish, Chips, and Meaningful Conversations

That evening, we took to the water. A river cruise along the Ouse with fish and chips, a few drinks, and no agenda. Just time to connect.

And it worked. Conversations that started in the sessions carried on over pints and city views. Franchisees from across the UK had the chance to meet members from different regions, and vice versa. We even had a few unofficial after-hours peer boards at the Slug & Lettuce.

You can’t manufacture that kind of connection. But you can create the conditions for it. And that’s what TAB does well.

Day Two: Teams, Leadership and a Look in the Mirror

Friday morning kicked off with Jonathan Peach speaking on what makes a team flourish. He unpacked three things that are easy to underestimate as a leader: Connection, Belonging, and Trust.

It struck a chord. One member said afterwards,

“It made me realise where I might be unintentionally getting in the way of my team performing at their best.”

That’s the kind of reflection we want to prompt and support. As a TAB franchisee, you’re not just helping people grow their businesses. You’re helping them grow as leaders, colleagues, and human beings.

We wrapped the event with Julie Harrison, who challenged everyone to think about how they empower the people around them. Not just the operational stuff, but the emotional tone they set. The culture they shape. And the legacy they leave.

What Our Franchisees Took Away

The event wasn’t just for members. It was a moment for our franchisees, too. A chance to see, in one room, the scale of what they’re helping to build.

Simon Banks, TAB Wakefield, summed it up perfectly:

“All my members who attended said it added significant value to their membership.”

And that’s what it’s all about. Adding value. Not just in the content you deliver, but in the connections you make possible.

So, Why Does This Matter to You, as a Prospective Franchisee?

Because this is the kind of business you’ll be building. One rooted in relationships, honesty, and impact. You’re not just delivering a product or a service. You’re creating spaces like this. Safe, thoughtful, energising spaces where business owners can speak openly, challenge themselves, and walk away better than they arrived.

You’ll be part of something bigger. A network that isn’t performative, but powerful. One where members stay for years. One where franchisees feel genuinely proud of what they do.

And one where, yes, we still know how to enjoy a beer and a few chips after a full-on day.

If this sounds like the kind of business you want to build, let’s have a proper conversation.